FIRST Luanda International Jazz Festival!

Many in the African diaspora trace their rhythmic roots to Angola's drumming; from Friday 31 July to Sunday 2 August, this musical heritage returns to its source. Musicians from Brazil, Mozambique, South Africa and United States will descend on Cine Atlantico in Angola's capital city, Luanda, to participate in the launch of the Luanda International Jazz Festival.

Looking at the festival's line-up, there is no doubt in the organisers' desire to showcase Angolan musicians and also to expose local audiences to sounds from faraway places. Leading the US team is none other the great McCoy Tyner. Cutting his teeth as member of the John Coltrane Quartet in the early 1960s, the 70-year-old musician is the doyen of jazz piano. In the last 18 months, Tyner has released two superb CDs that demonstrate why in the region's lingua franca anyone who excels is called a real McCoy. Tyner's recent recording with guitarists John Scofield, Bela Fleck, Marc Ribot, Derek Trucks and Bill Frisell has won the pianist numerous accolades; so also his album with saxophonist Joe Lovano, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Jeff 'Tain' Watts. At his age, Tyner still brims with energy and vitality. This he will certainly bring to Angola.

Sharing the stage with these great US bands is the cream of Angola's music scene. Leading the Angolan squadron is Paulo Flores. Flores is a leading proponent of kizomba - Angola's popular genres of dance and music derived directly from zouk sounds. Joining Flores are other Angolan musicians - Afrikkanitha, Sandra Corderio, Dodo Miranda and Toto. Afrikkanitha and Corderio are the country's emerging female voices. Afrikkanitha who sings in Portuguese, French, English and Angola's vernacular languages fuses soul, jazz, rock, funk with her country's indigenous music; while Corderio is rooted in bossa and Afro-jazz styles. The other young artist who will definitely amaze those not familiar with the music of Angola is Toto. Currently, the 29-year old vocalist is making waves with his fusion of Angolan and Brazilian sounds.

Participants at the festival will not only hear great sounds, the event promises to be a treatment to a wholesome Angolan experience. The event's venue has been redesigned and refurbished into a world-class entertainment facility, with expansive stages and stalls for sumptuous Angolan cuisine.

[More Here ]

Message From The Nile - McCoy Tyner (09/02/70)

Many in the African diaspora trace their rhythmic roots to Angola's drumming; from Friday 31 July to Sunday 2 August, this musical heritage returns to its source. Musicians from Brazil, Mozambique, South Africa and United States will descend on Cine Atlantico in Angola's capital city, Luanda, to participate in the launch of the Luanda International Jazz Festival.

Looking at the festival's line-up, there is no doubt in the organisers' desire to showcase Angolan musicians and also to expose local audiences to sounds from faraway places. Leading the US team is none other the great McCoy Tyner. Cutting his teeth as member of the John Coltrane Quartet in the early 1960s, the 70-year-old musician is the doyen of jazz piano. In the last 18 months, Tyner has released two superb CDs that demonstrate why in the region's lingua franca anyone who excels is called a real McCoy. Tyner's recent recording with guitarists John Scofield, Bela Fleck, Marc Ribot, Derek Trucks and Bill Frisell has won the pianist numerous accolades; so also his album with saxophonist Joe Lovano, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Jeff 'Tain' Watts. At his age, Tyner still brims with energy and vitality. This he will certainly bring to Angola.

Sharing the stage with these great US bands is the cream of Angola's music scene. Leading the Angolan squadron is Paulo Flores. Flores is a leading proponent of kizomba - Angola's popular genres of dance and music derived directly from zouk sounds. Joining Flores are other Angolan musicians - Afrikkanitha, Sandra Corderio, Dodo Miranda and Toto. Afrikkanitha and Corderio are the country's emerging female voices. Afrikkanitha who sings in Portuguese, French, English and Angola's vernacular languages fuses soul, jazz, rock, funk with her country's indigenous music; while Corderio is rooted in bossa and Afro-jazz styles. The other young artist who will definitely amaze those not familiar with the music of Angola is Toto. Currently, the 29-year old vocalist is making waves with his fusion of Angolan and Brazilian sounds.

Participants at the festival will not only hear great sounds, the event promises to be a treatment to a wholesome Angolan experience. The event's venue has been redesigned and refurbished into a world-class entertainment facility, with expansive stages and stalls for sumptuous Angolan cuisine.

[More Here ]

Message From The Nile - McCoy Tyner (09/02/70)